After the first 4 weeks there have been some surprises and some disappointments. However, just 4 weeks in is by no means the whole season, but just an indication to what may happen. Here are my quarter rankings based on the teams, what I have seen, what I expect, and what I predict.

1. Saints - not to knock on any other undefeated teams, but the Saints can win with Drew Brees throwing 300+ yards or not even 200 yards. The defense is stepping up and with the ability to win close games without Drew Brees racking up a lot of yardage is a sign this team has elevated itself from years past.

2. Colts - Peyton Manning is looking good and their ability to win with little time possession (as in the Dolphins game) is the reason why this is the best team in the AFC and not far behind the Saints.

3. Vikings - Adrian Peterson is still the best back in the league. They have a great defense, and Brett Favre is limited but still gets the big win at the end of games. If they keep Favre on a leash, this team is going to go very far.

4. Giants - Eli Manning is looking good with all these new recievers around him, and Steve Smith is becoming the new Steve Smith in the NFC WRs corps that everyone is talking about. The defense is still good.

5. Broncos - although I am still not impressed, they are a 4-0 team and they deserve to be a top team. Kyle Orton is doing a good job controlling games and letting the defense do its job. Brandon Marshall is showing maturity.

6. Jets - well Mark Sanchez finally got his NFL welcoming party from the Saints. However Rex Ryan is doing a great job with the defense. Still a good team right now but will be hard for them to win the division with a rookie QB. As of now I have them ahead of the other AFC East team only because of their defense.

7. Patriots - some say the sleepers in the AFC that down the stretch will be back to their old form. I think the offense is not as strong as everyone thought and a lot of problems on the defensive side of the ball. They probably will win the division, mainly because of a rookie meltdown by Sanchez.

8. Ravens - offense is looking good. Defense came up big in some games. The WRs have to be a concern. Also it looks like the AFC north might be the best division in the AFC, so this will be a nice race.

9. 49ers - Al Gore is a very good running back and Shaun Hill is showing he can handle being the starter. Mike Singletary is doing a good job.

10. Bears - They are doing good but I will never like a team Jay Cutler is on. It is a matter of time before there is a team melt down and they fall completely out.

11. Steelers - The champions at 2-2 were struggling for a bit. They might have found a real running back in Rashard Mendenhall, but will they play him over Willie Parker? Ben Roethlisberger is looking very good, but the defense in the 4th quarter is a very huge concern. Troy Polamalu could not get back any sooner, once he does things will only get better.

12. Bengals - I know, they beat the Steelers so why are they behind them. Although Carson Palmer is doing good and so is Cedric Benson, I just don't put as much stock in this team as I do with the Ravens and Steelers. Big game against the Ravens this week, but they just aren't up there with them yet, especially when you compare defenses. A home victory against a division rival is big, but it is just one win, at home nonetheless. Remember, the last time the Bengals won the division, (and only time for what 17 years?) they lost in the first round of the playoffs...meaning this team doesn't have much experience in being playoff contenders.

13. Eagles - Donovan McNabb will come back even better, especially since Kevin Kolb gave a good performance and Michael Vick is sitting there. They, like always, will be there in the end of the season fighting for the division crown.

14. Falcons - This team surprised me. I thought they would come out with a much stronger showing. So far, it has not been impressive. Matt Ryan is still a talented QB and this team will be a wildcard team because they won't be able to take over the top from the Saints.

15. Chargers - defense wins championships? If that is true than the Chargers have no chance. Shawn Merriman being injured is of course not helping. Philip Rivers did not look good the past week and with Tomlinson injured, this team has to rebound to catch up to the Broncos.

16. Cowboys - Tony Romo with 2 weeks without a TD...hmmm? I don't know if 2-2 is good or bad for them. Honestly this team could go 6-10, 8-8, or 10-6 because they are so inconsistent.

17. Packers - Aaron Rodgers is still an average QB, all that premature preseason MVP crap was crazy. Defensively though they are looking good with Capers 3-4 scheme.

18. Jaguars - even though David Garrard is not a good QB at all, they are making some very good stands in games.

22. Cardinals - like I said, losing their offensive coordinator and having one more year added on to Kurt Warner was an equation for not a good year. They will not make the playoffs this year. In fact I say declare the NFC West division winner the 49ers. ( by the way NFC west is the worst division in football, was last year, is this year, and probably will be next year.)

23. Dolphins - any hope of winning the division has got to be gone now. Chad Pennington injured and Chad Henne starting is just not good. Here's an idea, try throwing the ball out of the wildcat! Yes the wildcat is a stupid gimmick but if the team insist on using it, switch it up, and try more passes from it!

24. Bills - Dick Jauron should be gone. Trent Edwards is horrible...you have to look off the defender! What a shame for the Bills fans. This team does have good talent. Just a horrible coach.

25. Titans - 13-3 to 0-4.They won't win this week against the Colts. Kerry Collins is done and Vince Young is not the answer, so what are they going to do at QB. Also, this defense went from a top 3 to dismal.

26. Seahawks - I don't pay attention to them, all I can remember them from this season were those hideous green uniforms a couple of weeks ago...

27. Lions - well they won a game...woohoo. However, like I said waste all that money on a QB for a first draft pick, give him no offensive line and no defense and what will happen? Well now he is injured. Yeah getting yourself beat up everyday is a great learning experience. However, they aren't the worst team anymore!

28. Buccaneers - I wish Bryon Leftwich got more of a chance, but oh well.

29. Chiefs - so Matt Cassell isn't the answer. Such a shame this team because they really do have one of the best most loyal fan bases in football. I always hope for this team, and while here's hoping to next year.

31. Browns - even though this team is the worst team in the NFL, they will somehow surprise some team, get a win or two and just beat out the Rams as the 2nd worst team in the NFL, record wise that is.

32. Raiders - I always put the Raiders on the bottom of the list and here is why...Al Davis. As long as he is alive this team is going nowhere and they will always be bottom of the list. WOW JaMarcus Russell is just awful and Darrius Heyward-Bey as the first round draft choice. HAHAHA! And people wondered why Richard Seymour tried to stay out of Oakland.

Although offseason predictions are pointless, I am bored and decided to make my predictions for the 2009 season since the draft and free agency is all over. And since summer has started, that just means soon it is time for camps and then pre-season!

AFC East:

1) New England Patriots - they are good, not great though. Everyone is focused on Tom Brady's return, however I question if a 30+ QB returning from a serious injury and an infection, with a baby coming, is going to play as he did in 2007. I doubt it, but even with a questionable Brady, this team is good enough to win the division.

2) New York Jets - Rex Ryan is trying to create some buzz...he is already annoying, but Mark Sanchez may surprise a lot come the end of the season and give a strong push for the division title, only to fall short.

3) Miami Dolphins - they caught a lot of teams off guard last year, however Chad Pennington and the wildcat offense will not be succesful this year since teams know what to expect, and they have a tougher schedule. Also defense has to get better.

1) Indianapolis Colts - tough division. However, the Colts will probably make it just because they do have Peyton Manning. All the coaching changes are a concern, however I see problems with the rest of the division.

2) Houston Texans - really improved a lot at the end of last season, and I just think they will be a 9-7 team.

3) Tennesse Titans - last year was a great year for them. However Kerry Collins is not going to make it through another season. Albert Haynesworth did a lot for the defense, however they can overcome it. But still not a strong offense to win the division.

1) Pittsburgh Steelers - the Superbowl champs will once again have another tough fight for the division. They haven't lost much except for Larry Foote, but they have Lawrence Timmons to step up. Winning the division will be the toughest obstacle for the Steelers. Once getting past the division title, they will be in the AFC Championship game at least.

2) Baltimore Ravens - the only other contender in the division. The departures at the defense, along with Rex Ryan has to scare some. Some believe Joe Flacco is already a superstar. Having a completion % around 45 in the playoffs is not a good stat. If he has the sophomore jinx, like I predict, this team will once again depend on the defense to win games and hope that the offense doesn't lose it. Good thing they have Ed Reed.

3) Cincinatti Bengals - Carson Palmer might be healthy now, but the team is in chaos. Is Marvin Lewis ever going?

4) Cleveland Browns - Brady Quinn will have a good year, but not good enough to help the team out of the basement.

2) Kansas City Chiefs - I look for this team to put on a good show in the year and end up 8-8 with some surprise wins. They could even give a push for the division. Matt Cassel should improve the offense, but the question will be answered if he is a long term answer.

3) Denver Broncos - some criticize them for the move with Jay Cutler, I applaud it. This year will be a rebuilding year but now they can go after a QB that is a team player and build a franchise around him, whoever they might find.

4) Oakland Raiders - unless Al Davis dies, there is no point talking about this team.

2) NY Giants - Eli Manning has to prove he can win without Plaxico Burress. The defense though on paper looks like a beast.

3) Washington Redskins - $100 million on Haynesworth is a waste. They will be an 8-8, 9-7 team.

4) Dallas Cowboys - 8-8. Tony Romo might never get the monkey off his back. You know, winning a playoff game.

NFC South:

1) Atlanta Falcons - Matt Ryan needed a better defense around him so pressure will be lifted off of him. The team has done enough so that they can win the division. I consider this team to be a big contender in the NFC playoffs.

2) New Orleans Saints - Drew Brees is one of the best QBs in the league. Reggie Bush is a great utility back. However the defense sucks.

3) Carolina Panthers - well Jake Delhomme needs his team to run it. Does not matter. The Panthers know that unless they win the superbowl, they will have a new coach after this season, Bill Cowher.

4) Tampa Bay Buccaneers - they dumped everyone last year. Now they have 4 QB's, and not one really penciled in as the starter. This will be a tough rebuilding year for them.

NFC North:

1) Minnesota Vikings - stop the Brett Favre crap, and this team will win the division. Strong defense, and Adrian Peterson.

2) Green Bay Packers - they will be contenders for the division, but won't do much.

3) Chicago Bears - Jay Cutler for all those draft picks? The defense needed replenishing. It really didn't get it. Matt Forte is really good, but I forsee more problems than solutions with Cutler in a Bears uniform.

4) Detriot Lions - everyone talks about drafting a QB in the first round. Well Matthew Stafford was picked first overall, and he has no offensive line to protect him, and on the other side of the ball is a very poor defense. Good luck to the Lions dumping all that money into a first round draft pick with so many other needs.

NFC West:

1) Seattle Seahawks - 8-8 wins this division. I only picked the Seahawks because they won the coin toss I did.

2) Arizona Cardinals - old man Kurt Warner has nothing left in the tank. Yes he was once great, but now teams are going to punish him for 16 games straight. This defense couldn't even stop the Steelers offense which struggled all year.

3) San Fransisco 49ers - I don't know much about the team except I do like Mike Singletary. I think he can bring them back to winning football in a couple of years.

4) St. Louis Rams - I look for the Rams to have the first draft choice in 2010.